From the Earth to the Moon · Chapter
The New Citizen of the United States explained
Michel Ardan becomes an overnight celebrity in America after his duel proposal, receiving endless deputations, portraits, and public adoration.
What happens
Michel Ardan becomes an overnight celebrity in America after his duel proposal, receiving endless deputations, portraits, and public adoration. He humorously discusses lunar influence on maladies with Barbicane, visits the Columbiad, and rejects J.T. Maston's request to join the moon voyage. A preparatory experiment with a cat and squirrel in a projectile is conducted, resulting in the cat eating the squirrel. Ardan is officially granted U.S. citizenship by the President.
Themes in this chapter
Public Enthusiasm and Media Hype
Ardan's overwhelming popularity, portraits sold by the millions, and constant deputations illustrate the frenzy.
The Unknown and Cosmic Mystery
Discussion of lunar influence on diseases and madness highlights the mystery surrounding the moon.
Risk and Sacrifice for Knowledge
The experimental firing of a projectile with animals demonstrates the risks taken to ensure the safety of the moon voyage.
Characters to notice
- Michel Ardan
Celebrated as a hero, receives deputations, discusses lunar influence, visits the Columbiad, and is granted U.S. citizenship.
- Impey Barbicane
Accompanies Ardan, discusses lunar influence on maladies, and oversees the preparatory experiment.
- J. T. Maston
Proposes to join the moon voyage but is refused; his squirrel is eaten by the cat in the experiment.
- Captain Nicholl
Present during the preparatory experiment and the visit to the Columbiad.
Key passages
“That day all America heard about the duel and its singular termination. The part played by the chivalrous European, his unexpected proposition which solved the difficulty, the simultaneous acceptation of the two rivals, that conquest of the lunar continent to which France and the United States were going to march in concert—everything tended to increase Michel Ardan’s popularity.”
The news of the duel and its peaceful resolution, with the European's clever proposal accepted by both rivals, spread across America, boosting Michel Ardan's fame as France and the U.S. united for the moon mission.
Describes the origin of Ardan's sudden popularity.
“Barnum offered him a million dollars to show him as a curious animal in the different towns of the United States.”
Showman Barnum offered Ardan a million dollars to exhibit him like a freak show across America.
Highlights the commercial exploitation of Ardan's fame.
“The mortar was loaded with 160 lbs. of powder and the bomb. It was then fired. The projectile immediately rose with rapidity, described a majestic parabola, attained a height of about a thousand feet, and then with a graceful curve fell into the waves.”
The mortar, charged with 160 pounds of powder, launched the projectile, which soared to about a thousand feet in a parabolic arc before splashing into the sea.
Describes the experimental firing of the projectile.